Ware co



Sept 1927' T. o. SCHRADER LATCH DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS Filed Julyl4, 1925 I I NVENTOR War/n54 6%446 Patented Sept. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS O. SCI-IRADER; OF ALLEN'IOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO DENT HARD- WARE CO., OF FULLERTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LATCH DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS.

Application filed July 14, 1925. Serial No. 43,474.

This invention, generally stated, relates to latching attachments and has more especial relation to automatic latching devices for refrigerators and the like. j

The leading object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character above stated which is of simple efficient and inexpensive construction; which may be readilyapplied to refrigerator doors; and which is particularly eflicient and effective for refrigerators of massive size such as are used by meatpackers and the like.

Other and further objects of. the present invention reside in the provision of novel cmlstruction and arrangement-of parts for attaining the results sought by the leading object. Other andfurther objects not at this time appearing will be hereinafter more fully described. A 1

The invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, andin which:

Fig. 1, is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a refrigerator casing and door equipped with a latching atte chm-ent embodying the invention, the door shown being in closed and latched position.

Fig. 2, is a view of the latching attachment, locking from the rear, and detached from the refrigerator door.

Fig. 3, a view in end elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a rear view of the part shown in Fig. 2 with the operating parts removed.

Fig. 5, is a view in cross section taken upon the line 55 of Fig. 4;.

Fig. 6, is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the closure plate removed, illustrating operative parts.

Fig. 7. is a view of the swinging bolt.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the operating handle; and

Fig. 9, is a view in side elevation of the keeper shown in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalit-ies of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

The reference numeral 1 designates a refrigerator casing and 2 a refrigerator door. Secured to the refrigerator door by means of screws 3 is a casing 4 preferably cast in integral form and provided upon the front face thereof with lugs 5 the front wall of casing 1 being slotted as at 6 between said. lugs 5. Pivoted between the lugs 5 upon a pivoted bar 7 is a vertically arranged handle 8, the upper and inner end of which provided with a rearwardly extending projection 9 which has a loose fit within opening 10 of a swinging bolt 11. The swinging bolt 11 has a loose fit with a stud 12 formed integral with casing At, the swinging boltll beingaperturedas at 13 for said loose lit with respect to stud 12. Concentric with stud 12 is a raised portion 13 and extended from said raised portion 13 is another raised portion 14. The inner face of the swinging bolt 11 is provided with a rib 15, see Fig. 7, which is adapted to ride upon the raised portion 14 above referred to. One end of swinging bolt 11 is notched as at 16, see Fig. 7, for detachable engagement IL;

with a lug 17 formed immediately adjacent opening 6 in casing 41-. The opposite end of swinging bolt 11 is forked as at 18 which forked part has horizontally journalled therein a roller 19. Positioned between a lug 20 formed integral with casing 4E and the projected end 21 of swinging bolt 11 is a coiled spring 22, see Fig. 6. In order to retain the swinging bolt and spring in proper position, a. plate of stamped sheet metal 23 is secured to the rear of casing 4 by means of a screw 24, said screw being accommodated in the stud 12.

Secured to refrigerator casing 1 as by means of screws 25 is a plate 26 having formed integral therewith an upper projection 27 and a lower projection 28, there being arranged between said projections 27 and 28 a recess 29 for accommodation of roller 19 of swinging bolt 11.

In operation the operator pulls the handle 8 outwardly thus raising that end of the swinging bolt 11 provided with roller 19, it being understood that during this movement the projection 15 of swinging bolt 11 has FIJI moved over portion 14 of easing i, and because of spring 22 and curve on under side of point 9, Fig. 8, and the loose connection between said swinging bolt 11 and stud 12 has tilted so that projection 16 thereof has engaged the notched part 17 of easing 4, thereby holding the swinging bolt in elevated position and the handle 8 in outwardly projecting position. Upon slamming of the refrigerator door 2 the roller 19 of swinging bolt 11 impinges against projection 270i plate 26 011 the refri erator and point 15, Fig. 7, will tilt swinging bolt 11 thus knoekiug or kicking off the swinging bolt from its engagement with casing 4. A result is that the roller 19 is therefore accommodated within recessed part 29 of the keeper to e ffici'ently lock the refrigerator door 2. In the event that the swinging bolt is in the position shown in Figs. or 6, for example, this is in a relatively horizontal position, slamming of the door 2 causes roller 19 to ride over lower projection 28 and-seat within rece:s 29 of keeper 26. The plate which is secured to stud 12 has stamped therefrom an inclined projection 30 which cooperates with parts ll and 15 in connection with spring 22 to cause tilting of said swinging bolt 11.

Having thus described any invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A latch of the character stated comprising a casing of integral structure the rear-0t which is open and is recessed to receive a plate, a stud projected rearwardly of said casing, a swinging bolt arranged upon a horizontal inclination and pivoted upon said stud, one end of which is provided with a spring receiving lug, the intermediate end of which is notched and the opposite end of which projects longitudinally from said casing, is bifurcated, and is provided with. a. roller, the axis of which substantially parallels :the axis ot said swinging bolt, a coiled spring one end of which is fi ed with respect *to said lug and the opposite end of which. is secured with respect to said casing, the longitudinal axis of the spring and the longitudinal axis of said lever being arranged in parallelism, a projection upon the inner part of said cas ng with which the notched part of said swinging bolt cooperates to temporarily hold the swinging bolt horizontally inclined position, a vertically arranged handle pivoted to said casing and provided with a reaiwvard-ly extended 1116111" her for engaging an apertured part of said swinging bolt, a plate detachably secured to the said recessed rear of said casing, said plate having an inclined part with which said handle cooperates to tilt said swinging bolt, a screw for reinovably securing saic plate to said stud, a keeper having upper and lower projections, and a central recess with which the roller of said swinging bolt is adapted to cooperate during a la tc'hing operation.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

THOS. O. SG-H'RADER. 

